Vanda plant named ‘SPCDW1517’

ABSTRACT

A new and distinct Vanda cultivar named ‘SPCDW1517’ which is characterized by a branched main stem, sepals and petals which are nearly pure white at anthesis, a white labellum that is lightly suffused with red-purple, as well as the stability of these characteristics from generation to generation.

Latin name of the genus and species: The Latin name of the genus and species of the novel variety disclosed herein is Vanda Jones ex R. Br.

Variety denomination: The inventive variety of Vanda disclosed herein has been given the variety denomination ‘SPCDW1517’.

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application claims priority to the Community Plant Variety Rights application number 2015/2867, filed Nov. 27, 2015, which is herein incorporated by reference.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Parentage: The Vanda variety ‘SPCDW1517’ originated as a naturally occurring, whole-plant mutation of Vanda ‘SPCDW0902’ (U.S. Pat. No. 23,343), a variety developed and owned by the inventor. The inventor of ‘SPCDW1517’ is a commercial producer of Vanda and regularly discovers mutations at his greenhouse operation in Bangphra, Thailand. The variety now called ‘SPCDW1517’ was initially discovered in August of 2009 as one such mutation of ‘SPCDW00902’.

Asexual Reproduction: Asexual reproduction of the new cultivar ‘SPCDW1517’, by way of mericloning, was first initiated in April of 2010 at a commercial laboratory belonging to the inventor in Bangphra, Thailand. Access to all plants was restricted, as plants were kept in a greenhouse not open to the public, and tissue culture plantlets were in a laboratory belonging to the inventor, and not accessible to the public. Through six subsequent generations, the unique features of this cultivar have proven to be stable and true to type.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The cultivar ‘SPCDW1517’ has not been observed under all possible environmental conditions. The phenotype may vary somewhat with variations in environment such as temperature, day length, and light intensity, without, however, any variance in genotype. The following traits have been repeatedly observed and are determined to be the unique characteristics of ‘SPCDW1517’. These characteristics in combination distinguish ‘SPCDW1517’ as a new and distinct Vanda cultivar:

-   -   1. Vanda ‘SPCDW1517’ exhibits a branched main stem; and     -   2. Vanda ‘SPCDW1517’ exhibits petals and sepals that are nearly         pure white at anthesis; and     -   3. Vanda ‘SPCDW1517’ exhibits a white labellum, lightly suffused         with red-purple.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES

FIG. 1 illustrates, as nearly true as it is reasonably possible to make the same in color photographs of this type, an exemplary plant of ‘SPCDW1517’ grown in a commercial greenhouse in Honselersdijk, the Netherlands. This plant is approximately 6 years old from the time of mericloning, shown planted in an 8 by 8 cm container.

FIG. 2 illustrates, as nearly true as it is reasonably possible to make the same in color photographs of this type, the typical foliage of ‘SPCDW1517’.

FIG. 3 illustrates, as nearly true as it is reasonably possible to make the same in color photographs of this type, the typical inflorescence of ‘SPCDW1517’.

FIG. 4 illustrates, as nearly true as it is reasonably possible to make the same in color photographs of this type, the typical flower of ‘SPCDW1517’.

BOTANICAL DESCRIPTION OF THE PLANT

The following observations and measurements made in October of 2016 describe averages from a sample set of six specimens of six year-old ‘SPCDW1517’ plants grown in a greenhouse in Honselersdijk, the Netherlands. Temperatures were approximately 23 degrees Celsius during the day and 19 degrees Celsius at night. No photoperiodic or chemical treatments were given to the plants. No artificial light was given to the plants.

Those skilled in the art will appreciate that certain characteristics will vary with older or, conversely, with younger plants. ‘SPCDW1517’ has not been observed under all possible environmental conditions. Where dimensions, sizes, colors and other characteristics are given, it is to be understood that such characteristics are approximations or averages set forth as accurately as practicable. The phenotype of the variety may differ from the descriptions set forth herein with variations in environmental, climatic and cultural conditions. Color notations are based on The Royal Horticultural Society Colour Chart, The Royal Horticultural Society, London, 2015 (sixth edition).

A botanical description of ‘SPCDW1517’ and comparisons with other varieties of Vanda are provided below.

-   Plant description:     -   -   Growth habit.—Perennial; monopodial, upright. Single             monopodial leafy stem, with an average of one lateral branch             growing from the base of the main stem; flowers carried             slightly above the leaf plane with inflorescences growing             from the leaf axils.         -   Average height from base (plant grown in hanging basket, so             no soil line present) to foliar plane.—41.9 cm.         -   Average height from base (plant grown in hanging basket, so             no soil line present) to top of floral plane.—51.5 cm.         -   Plant spread.—Average of 37.0 cm.         -   Appropriate container size.—8 cm by 8 cm rectangular hanging             basket.         -   Growth rate.—Moderate.         -   Plant vigor.—Moderate.         -   Propagation type.—Meristematic tissue culture propagation             using the base of the leaves.         -   Propagation details.—The time needed from for the start of a             mericlone to get the small plants ready for deflasking is             approximately 24 months under a controlled temperature of             about 26 degrees Celsius. After that period, plants have             matured roots. Plants start to make roots in the last 6             months in flasks. After deflasking they remain in a shaded             and controlled environment.         -   Disease and pest resistance or susceptibility.—Plants have             not been observed to be susceptible or resistant to             pathogens and pests common to Vanda.         -   Environmental tolerances.—Adapt to, at least, USDA Zones 11             and 12 and temperatures as high as 40 degrees Celsius; high             tolerance to rain; moderate to high tolerance to wind. -   Root system:     -   -   General.—Moderately to densely rooting; with aerial roots             only.         -   Dimensions, mature roots.—63.8 cm long with a diameter of             0.5 cm, on average.         -   Texture.—Very fleshy; non-fibrous.         -   Color.—Greyed-green, nearest to RHS 192B; root apex is             yellow-green, nearest to RHS 144A. -   Stem:     -   -   Branching habit.—Monopodial, with an average of one lateral             branch growing from the base of the main stem.         -   Number of primary (main) stems per plant.—One.         -   Number of secondary (lateral) branches per plant.—One.         -   Main stem.—Appearance and shape — Circular, formed by the             leaf sheaths. Length — 26.2 cm. Diameter — 0.9 cm. Internode             length — 0.6 cm. Luster — Matte. Aspect, main stem — Near             vertical. Strength — Very strong. Color, juvenile —             Yellow-green, nearest to RHS 145C. Color, mature —             Yellow-green, nearest to RHS 145C. Color at internodes —             Yellow-green, nearest to RHS 145C. Pubescence — Glabrous.         -   Lateral branch.—Appearance and shape — Circular, formed by             the leaf sheaths. Length — Approximately 8.7 cm. Diameter —             0.9 cm. Internode length — 0.6 cm. Luster — Matte. Aspect,             main stem — At an approximate angle of 50 degrees to the             main stem. Strength — Very strong. Color, juvenile —             Yellow-green, nearest to RHS 145C. Color, mature —             Yellow-green, nearest to RHS 145C. Color at internodes —             Yellow-green, nearest to RHS 145C. Pubescence — Glabrous. -   Foliage:     -   -   Arrangement.—Distichous.         -   Dimensions.—21.1 cm long, excluding the sheath, and 2.5 cm             wide.         -   Shape of blade.—Ligulate; moderately carinate.         -   Aspect.—Slightly curved.         -   Apex.—Unequal praemorse.         -   Base.—Sheathing.         -   Sheath dimensions.—3.4 cm long and 1.2 cm wide, on average.         -   Sheath color.—Yellow-green, a mixture of RHS 145A and 151C.         -   Margin.—Entire.         -   Pubescence, texture and luster of adaxial surface.—Glabrous,             smooth, and matte.         -   Pubescence, texture and luster of abaxial surface.—Glabrous,             smooth, and very slightly glossy.         -   Color.—Variegation — Absent. Juvenile foliage, adaxial             surface — Green, in between RHS 143A and 143B. Juvenile             foliage, abaxial surface — Green, nearest to RHS 143A.             Mature foliage, adaxial surface — Green, nearest to RHS             137B. Mature foliage, abaxial surface — Yellow-green,             nearest to RHS 146B.         -   Venation.—Parallel.         -   Venation color, adaxial surface.—Green, nearest to RHS 137B.         -   Venation color, abaxial surface.—Yellow-green, RHS N144C.         -   Petiole.—No petioles present; leaves sessile. -   Inflorescence:     -   -   Inflorescence arrangement.—Axially placed raceme.         -   Natural flowering season.—Autumn into winter.         -   Time to flower.—Approximately 10 months.         -   Quantity of inflorescence per plant.—One.         -   Flowers per inflorescence.—Average of 10.         -   Flowers per plant.—18 open flowers and 2 flower buds.         -   Inflorescence height.—Approximately 14.7 cm (measured from             base of lowest flower to top of upper flower).         -   Inflorescence diameter.—Approximately 15.3 cm.         -   Peduncle.—Dimensions — Approximately 29.1 cm long and 0.6 cm             wide. Aspect — Generally at a 35 degree angle to lateral             branch axis. Strength — Moderately strong. Texture and             luster — Glabrous and moderately glossy. Color —             Yellow-green, nearest to RHS 144C. -   Bud:     -   -   Length.—Average of 2.0 cm.         -   Diameter.—Average horizontal diameter is 1.4 cm; the             vertical diameter is 1.7 cm.         -   Shape.—Cubic, with a deltoid apex which is pointed downward.         -   Pubescence, texture and luster.—Glabrous, smooth and very             slightly glossy.         -   Color.—Yellow-green, nearest to RHS 150D. -   Flower:     -   -   Flower type.—Zygomorphic (orchidaceous), typical shape for             the genus Vanda.         -   Flowering habit.—Moderate.         -   Shape.—Zygomorphic, single; consisting of three sepals and             three petals, one of which is transformed into a labellum;             the two lateral petals touching the dorsal sepal and             slightly overlapping the lateral sepals; sepals do not             overlap one another.         -   Aspect.—Flowers are outward-facing to slightly nodding.         -   Vertical height.—Approximately 8.2 cm.         -   Diameter.—Approximately 7.8 cm.         -   Depth.—Approximately 2.7 cm.         -   Fragrance.—No fragrance.         -   Lastingness.—3 weeks, on average.         -   Persistent.—Self-cleaning.         -   Petals.—Quantity of Petals — Three unfused petals; two             conventional petals and one labellum. Arrangement — One             lateral petal on each side. Length — Approximately 4.3 cm.             Width — Approximately 3.3 cm. Shape — Broad ovate. Apex —             Undeeply retuse to obtuse. Base — Cuneate. Margin — Entire;             not undulated to very slightly undulated. Pubescence,             texture and luster of upper surface — Glabrous, velvety and             matte. Pubescence, texture and luster of lower surface —             Glabrous, velvety and matte. Color when opening, upper             surface — White, nearest to RHS NN155B, and very lightly             suffused with green-white, nearest to RHS 157D. Color when             opening, lower surface — White, nearest to RHS NN155B, and             very lightly suffused with green-white, nearest to RHS 157D.             Color when fully opened, upper surface — White, nearest to             NN155D. Color when fully opened, lower surface — White,             nearest to NN155D. Fading, upper surface — Not fading.             Fading, lower surface — Not fading. Venation — Densely             reticulate. Venation color, fully opened, upper surface —             White, nearest to NN155D. Venation color, fully opened,             lower surface — White, nearest to NN155D.         -   Labellum.—Shape — Three-lobed; the shape of the lateral             lobes is triangular, and the aspect is involute; the shape             of the central lobe is narrow triangular, and the aspect is             revolute. Length — Central lobe — Approximately 1.8 cm.             Lateral lobes — Approximately 0.6 cm. Width — Central lobe —             Approximately 1.0 cm. Lateral lobes — Approximately 0.5 cm.             Apex — Central lobe — Strongly emarginate. Lateral lobes —             Emarginate. Base — Central lobe — Cuneate. Lateral lobes —             Cuneate. Margin — Central lobe — Entire; not undulate.             Lateral lobes — Entire; not undulate. Texture and luster of             upper surface — Central lobe — Glabrous, velvety, and matte.             Lateral lobes — Glabrous, velvety, and matte. Texture and             luster of lower surface — Central lobe — Glabrous, velvety,             and matte. Lateral lobes — Glabrous, velvety, and matte.             Color when opening, upper surface — Central lobe —             Green-white, nearest to RHS 157A, and suffused with yellow             at the base, nearest to RHS 13C. Lateral lobes — White,             nearest to RHS NN155A, and suffused with green-white,             nearest to RHS 157D; dotted red-purple, nearest to RHS N74D,             and yellow-orange, in between RHS 17B and 17C, at the base.             Color when opening, lower surface — Central lobe —             Yellow-green, nearest to RHS 145D, and fading to white             towards the base, nearest to RHS 155B. Lateral lobes —             White, nearest to RHS NN155B. Color when fully opened, upper             surface — Central lobe — White, nearest to RHS NN155A, and             very lightly suffused with red-purple at the apex, nearest             to RHS 69D. Lateral lobes — White, nearest to RHS NN155B;             dotted red-purple, nearest to RHS N74D. Color when fully             opened, lower surface — Central lobe — White, nearest to RHS             NN155D, and lightly suffused with green-white, nearest to             RHS 157D; very lightly suffused with red-purple at the apex,             nearest to RHS 69D. Lateral lobes — White, nearest to RHS             NN155D. Fading, upper surface — Not fading. Fading, lower             surface — Not fading. Venation — Densely reticulate.             Venation color, fully opened, upper surface — Central lobe —             White, nearest to NN155A, and very lightly suffused with             red-purple at the apex, nearest to RHS 69D. Lateral lobes —             White, nearest to RHS NN155B; dotted red-purple, nearest to             RHS N74D. Venation color, fully opened, lower surface —             Central lobe — White, nearest to RHS NN155D, and lightly             suffused with green-white, nearest to RHS 157D; very lightly             suffused with red-purple at the apex, nearest to RHS 69D.             Lateral lobes — White, nearest to RHS NN155D.         -   Callosities.—Dimensions — 1.2 cm long and 0.6 cm wide, on             average. Color — White, nearest to RHS NN155A.         -   Spurs.—Quantity — Average of 1. Length — Approximately             0.7 cm. Diameter — Approximately 0.2 cm. Vertical height —             Approximately 0.4 cm, at the base. Shape — Short triangular.             Apex — Bluntly acute. Base — Broad cuneate. Pubescence,             texture and luster — Glabrous, smooth, and slightly glossy.             Color — White, nearest to RHS N155D, and very slightly             suffused with red-purple, nearest to RHS 69D.         -   Sepals.—Quantity — Average of 3 unfused sepals. Arrangement             — One dorsal sepal and two lateral sepals. Length — Dorsal             sepal — Approximately 4.4 cm. Lateral sepals — Approximately             4.6 cm. Width — Dorsal sepal — Approximately 3.3 cm. Lateral             sepals — Approximately 3.7 cm. Shape — Dorsal sepal — Broad             ovate. Lateral sepals — Broad ovate. Apex — Dorsal sepal —             Obtuse. Lateral sepals — Obtuse. Base — Dorsal sepal —             Cuneate. Lateral sepals — Cuneate. Margin — Dorsal sepal —             Entire; slightly undulated. Lateral sepals — Entire;             moderately undulated. Pubescence, texture and luster, upper             surface — Dorsal sepal — Glabrous, velvety, and matte.             Lateral sepals — Glabrous, velvety, and matte. Pubescence,             texture and luster, lower surface — Dorsal sepal — Glabrous,             velvety, and matte. Lateral sepals — Glabrous, velvety, and             matte. Color when opening, upper surface — Dorsal sepal —             White, nearest to RHS NN155B, and suffused with yellow-green             towards the apex, a mixture of RHS 145D and RHS 150D.             Lateral sepals — White, nearest to RHS NN155B, and suffused             with yellow-green towards the apex, a mixture of RHS 145D             and RHS 150D. Color when opening, lower surface — Dorsal             sepal — White, nearest to RHS NN155B, and suffused with             yellow-green towards the apex, a mixture of RHS 145D and RHS             150D. Lateral sepals — White, nearest to RHS NN155B, and             suffused with yellow-green towards the apex, a mixture of             RHS 145D and RHS 150D. Color when fully opened, upper             surface — Dorsal sepal — White, nearest to RHS NN155D but             whiter; no corresponding R.H.S. color chart designation.             Lateral sepals — White, nearest to RHS NN155D but whiter; no             corresponding R.H.S. color chart designation. Color when             fully opened, lower surface — Dorsal sepal — White, nearest             to RHS NN155D but whiter; no corresponding R.H.S. color             chart designation. Lateral sepals — White, nearest to RHS             NN155D but whiter; no corresponding R.H.S. color chart             designation. Fading, upper surface — Not fading. Fading,             lower surface — Not fading. Venation — Densely reticulate.             Venation color, fully opened, upper surface — Dorsal sepal —             White, nearest to RHS NN155D but whiter; no corresponding             R.H.S .color chart designation. Lateral sepals — White,             nearest to RHS NN155D but whiter; no corresponding R.H.S.             color chart designation. Venation color, fully opened, lower             surface — Dorsal sepal — White, nearest to RHS NN155D but             whiter; no corresponding R.H.S. color chart designation.             Lateral sepals — White, nearest to RHS NN155D but whiter; no             corresponding R.H.S. color chart designation.         -   Pedicels.—Length — Approximately 4.4 cm. Diameter —             Approximately 0.3 cm. Angle — Approximately 70 degree angle             to peduncle axis. Strength — Moderate. Texture — Glabrous,             axially angled with 5 “ribs”, axially twisted (due to             resupination). Luster — Glossy. Color — A mixture of white,             nearest to RHS NN155B, and green-white, nearest to RHS 157D,             and suffused with yellow-green, nearest to RHS 145D, towards             the proximal end.         -   Bract.—Quantity — One bract present at the base of each             pedicel. Shape — Broad ovate; folded around the base of each             pedicel. Dimensions — Average of 1.1 cm long and 1.0 cm             wide. Apex — Broad acute. Base — Broad cuneate. Margins —             Entire. Color, both surfaces — Yellow-green, nearest to RHS             154B. -   Reproductive organs:     -   -   Column.—Length — Approximately 0.6 cm. Diameter —             Approximately 0.5 cm. Color — White, RHS NN155A.         -   Ovary.—Position — Inferior. Diameter — Approximately 0.2 cm.             Color — Yellow-green, RHS 150C.         -   Pollinia color.—Yellow-orange, RHS 15A. -   Seed and fruit: No fruit and seed production has been detected to     date.

COMPARISON WITH THE PARENT PLANT AND MOST SIMILAR VANDA CULTIVAR KNOWN TO THE INVENTOR

Plants of the new cultivar ‘SPCDW1517’ differ from the Vanda parent plant ‘SPCDW0902’ (U.S. Pat. No. 23,343) by the characteristics described in Table 1.

TABLE 1 Characteristic ‘SPCDW1517’ ‘SPCDW0902’ Flower size. Larger than Smaller than ‘SPCDW0902’. ‘SPCDW1512’. General coloration of Nearly white. Relatively less white petals when fully and suffused with opened. yellow-green. General coloration of Very white. Relatively less white sepals when fully and suffused with opened. yellow-green. Overlapping of petals Less overlapped More overlapped when and sepals. when compared to compared to ‘SPCDW0902’. ‘SPCDW1517’. Apex of dorsal sepal. Less rounded than More rounded than ‘SPCDW0902’. ‘SPCDW1517’. General coloration of the Nearly white; Yellow-green. central lobe of the very lightly labellum when fully suffused with opened. red-purple. General coloration of Nearly white. Relatively less white lateral lobes of the and suffused with labellum when fully yellow-green. opened. Leaf width. Broader. Narrower.

COMPARISON WITH THE MOST SIMILAR VANDA CULTIVAR KNOWN TO THE INVENTOR

Plants of the new cultivar ‘SPCDW1517’ are most similar to the cultivar, Vanda ‘SPCDW1602’ (U.S. Plant patent application Ser. No. 15/731,661). A comparison of ‘SPCDW1517’ with Vanda ‘SPCDW1602’ is described in Table 2.

TABLE 2 Characteristic ‘SPCDW1517’ ‘SPCDW1602’ Flower size. Smaller than Larger than ‘SPCDW1602’. ‘SPCDW1517’. General coloration of the Nearly white. Light pink with petals when fully opened. dark purple reticulate venation. Color pattern on the petals None. Netted. and sepals. General coloration of the Nearly white; very Lighter pink. central lobe of the lightly suffused labellum. with red-purple. General coloration of the White. Lighter pink. column. 

That which is claimed is:
 1. A new and distinct variety of Vanda plant named ‘SPCDW1517’, substantially as described and illustrated herein. 